US strike kills Al Qaeda’s No 2 in Yemen

Al Qaeda confirmed that Nasir al-Wahishi, its number two figure and leader of its powerful Yemeni affiliate, has been killed in a US strike, making it the harshest blow to the global militant network since the killing of Osama bin Laden.

In a video statement released by al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a senior operative read a statement announcing the death of al-Wahishi, who once served as bin Laden’s personal secretary. His deputy, Qassim al-Raimi, is set to replace him.

“Our Muslim nation, a hero of your heroes and a master of your masters left to God, steadfast,” Khaled Batrafi said in the video, vowing that the group’s war on the US would continue.